as in defeat
failure to win a contest
our football team suffered a pretty severe trimming
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in mastering
to achieve a victory over
a speed skater who consistently trimmed all his competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whipping
to defeat by a large margin
they trimmed our team by 40 points
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in shaving
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
trimmed her bangs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in decorating
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming
trim a tree for Christmas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in organizing
to make neat
trimmed the shrubbery in order to enhance the house's curb appeal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trimming
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
19 June 2026
Audiences and technophiles have been wowed, but film purists have howled over the trimming of more than 25 minutes of runtime, including some musical numbers.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
In Asia, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 briefly topped 70,000 for the first time Tuesday before trimming early gains after the Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to 1%.
—
ABC News,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for trimming
Noun
Ingrown Toenails Can Form Long-term pressure from too-tight shoes, poor nail trimming, or other deformities in toe or foot can cause an ingrown toenail.
—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
19 June 2026
Audiences and technophiles have been wowed, but film purists have howled over the trimming of more than 25 minutes of runtime, including some musical numbers.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Verb
Maintain your yard by regularly mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, and reducing moisture to deter chiggers.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
In Asia, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 briefly topped 70,000 for the first time Tuesday before trimming early gains after the Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to 1%.
—
ABC News,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for trimming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trimming
Noun
-
The film culminates in the Battle of the Monongahela in 1755, where Washington steps up and delivers a rousing speech to the British army despite their defeat.
-
That conversion and conquest crusade brought disease and defeat to native Californians, whose numbers and ways of life would be all but exterminated by the time the United States of America celebrated its first 100 years.
Verb
-
In an era where AI automates many startup tasks, mastering Strategic Fit—discovering the optimal market alignment faster than competitors—is becoming the paramount competitive advantage for founders aiming to build billion-dollar enterprises.
-
Netanyahu, 76, has spent decades mastering political theater, sharp messaging and grand performances.
Verb
-
And a Cut Absolute is whipping around upon seeing the person and walking away.
-
Patrick Evans made it to the top step of the Motocross Best Trick event with his electric bike, whipping out a no-handed front flip to loud cheers from the crowd before climbing back up the ramp to celebrate.
Verb
-
Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 13% off, shaving $20 off.
-
Evert allowed cameras to accompany her to treatments and doctor appointments and document her son shaving off her hair after chemotherapy.
Verb
-
The decision also reflected a larger change in the way Taylor thought about decorating.
-
Among DeJohn’s hobbies were flower arranging, collecting anything blue and white, gardening, and decorating.
Verb
-
Shoppers appreciate the inner pockets for organizing small essentials, along with the top zipper that keeps everything nice and secure.
-
The cruise, which departs from Greece on July 5, was expected to dock in the Turkish port town of Kuşadası two days later, followed by a trip to Istanbul, according to Atlantis Events, which is organizing the voyage.
Noun
-
But if the stock market rally that powers the divide fizzles out, the economy could take a significant beating.
-
Prosecutors allege that six of Arnold’s associates actually carried out the crimes, holding, beating and pistol-whipping the victims, and that Arnold wasn’t there at the time.
Verb
-
The first ever major league game to be played in Europe resulted in the Yankees defeating the Red Sox 17-13 in front of 60,000 spectators at London Olympic Stadium.
-
The team displayed impressive form in the preliminary tournament qualifiers, winning all eight of its matches, scoring 37 goals, and defeating four-time World Cup champions Italy twice.
Cite this Entry
“Trimming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trimming. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
